Public housing boost
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Public housing boost

Public housing in Gippsland is about to receive a major boost with the State Government announcing approximately 70 new public and social housing properties will be built in Bairnsdale, Sale, Morwell and Moe, by June 2012.Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, said as part of the Government’s commitment to improving social and public housing, approximately 100 existing units in Gippsland would also receive major upgrades. “Importantly it is part of a program that will see 1600 new public and social housing properties state-wide and a further 1800 refurbishments. This should have a significant impact on waiting lists,” Mr Bull said. “Public housing shortages and the associated waiting lists are issues that are regularly raised through my office and I am sure the addition of 70 new houses in Gippsland and 1600 state-wide will be welcomed,” he said. has around 65,000 public housing properties with more than 127,000 residents. Approximately $528 million is being provided for capital improvement, construction and acquisition of public and social housing in 2011/12.br /> The longer term construction program will see at least 6,500 new homes being provided across Victoria over the term of this government.
“The Coalition Government inherited a waiting list for public housing of 41,212. Over the past six months, this waiting list has been reduced to 37,430 as at the end of March 2011,” said Minister for Housing, Wendy Lovell.
“Better management of waiting lists is yielding results in an environment where there is a growing demand for public housing.
“The challenges facing the housing portfolio are significant and the government is committed to the development of a new housing strategy to make sure Victoria grows a contemporary social housing sector, which recognises changes in both demographics and population,” Ms Lovell said.